Observed Signal · Apr 28, 2026 · Policy Update · Source: techcrunch · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Australia Proposes 2.25% Levy on Big Tech News
Australia unveiled draft legislation called the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) on April 28, 2026, that would require platforms such as Meta, Google and TikTok to pay local news publishers or face a levy on their Australian revenues. The draft sets a default 2.25% levy that can decline to an effective 1.5% if the platforms reach enough commercial agreements with outlets, with the measure potentially directing A$200–250 million to Australian journalism. The NBI explicitly excludes AI services from its scope. The proposal replaces the 2021 News Media Bargaining Code and is designed to prevent platforms from avoiding payment by removing news content; if passed, platforms would have until July 2026 to comply.
A government policy targeting major walled gardens (Google, Meta, TikTok) affects platform economics, publisher revenue flows, and sets a regulatory precedent with potential implications for ad monetization and global policy responses.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- The Australian government published draft legislation called the News Bargaining Incentive (NBI) on 2026-04-28.
- The NBI would impose a 2.25% levy on Australian revenues of Meta, Google and TikTok unless they reach commercial news deals.
- If platforms secure enough agreements with news publishers, the effective levy could drop to 1.5%; the measure could return A$200–250 million to Australian journalism.
- The draft legislation explicitly excludes AI services from its scope, according to Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino.
- The NBI replaces the 2021 News Media Bargaining Code (which had allowed platforms to avoid payments by removing news, as Meta did in 2024) and, if passed, platforms must comply by July 2026.
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